Method and apparatus for self-illuminating sports, entertainment, and safety devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the self-illumination of various objects designed for use in sports, entertainment, and safety related activities. The objects are caused to self-illuminate by chemiluminescence to facilitate usage of the objects during non-daylight hours or in areas that are otherwise surrounded by darkness. Chemiluminescence may be activated through a variety of injection, acceleration, or tactile manipulation that are utilized to cause emission of visible light from within one or more cavities of the objects, from exterior portions of the objects, or from various inserts of the objects. Subcutaneous layers are also provided that may be caused to emanate visible light through chemiluminescence.

1 . A self-illuminating object, comprising:
 a body portion;   an insert coupled to the body portion;   a first solution contained within the insert;   a first vial contained within the insert, the first vial containing a second solution; and   wherein depression of the insert ruptures the first vial to mix the first and second solutions within the insert to cause self-illumination of the insert.   
   
   
       2 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes an outer surface formed by first and second surfaces, the first surface exhibiting increased pliability relative to the pliability of the second surface. 
   
   
       3 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 2 , wherein the insert further includes a trigger mechanism coupled to the first surface, wherein depression of the first surface engages the trigger mechanism to rupture the first vial to mix the first and second solutions within the insert to cause self-illumination of the insert. 
   
   
       4 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion exhibits a void. 
   
   
       5 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is detachably coupled to the body portion. 
   
   
       6 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 5 , wherein the detachable coupling comprises an arrangement to provide a mechanical friction between the insert and the body portion to maintain an engagement between the insert and the body portion within the void. 
   
   
       7 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 6 , wherein application of a force opposing the mechanical friction disengages the insert from the void of the body portion. 
   
   
       8 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a wing shaped device adapted to cause the body portion to spin. 
   
   
       9 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 8 , wherein the wing shaped device is adapted to self-illuminate by chemiluminescence. 
   
   
       10 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes grooves that are adapted to cause the body portion to spin. 
   
   
       11 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises:
 an outer surface formed by first and second surfaces, the first surface exhibiting increased pliability relative to the pliability of the second surface;   a third solution contained within the body portion;   a second vial contained within the body portion, the second vial containing a fourth solution; and   wherein depression of the first surface ruptures the second vial to mix the third and fourth solutions within the body portion to cause self-illumination of the body portion.   
   
   
       12 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 11 , wherein the body portion further comprises a trigger mechanism coupled to the first surface, wherein depression of the first surface engages the trigger mechanism to rupture the second vial to mix the third and fourth solutions within the body portion to cause self-illumination of the body portion. 
   
   
       13 . A system, comprising:
 a plurality of objects detachably coupled to each other, wherein a portion of the plurality of objects includes,
 a casing having an outer surface formed by first and second surfaces, the first surface exhibiting increased pliability relative to the pliability of the second surface; 
 a first solution contained within the casing; 
 a vial contained within the casing, the vial containing a second solution; and 
 wherein depression of the first surface ruptures the vial to mix the first and second solutions within the casing to cause self-illumination of the casing. 
   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the portion of the plurality of objects further includes a trigger mechanism coupled to the first surface, wherein depression of the first surface engages the trigger mechanism to rupture the vial to mix the first and second solutions within the casing to cause self-illumination of the casing. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the detachable coupling comprises an arrangement to provide a mechanical friction between each of the plurality of objects to maintain an engagement between each of the plurality of objects. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of objects includes a hook portion. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of objects further includes a skirt portion. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the skirt portion includes a core portion adapted to self-illuminate by chemiluminescence. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of objects further includes a head portion adapted to self-illuminate by chemiluminescence. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the head portion is hinged to clamp onto the spoon portion to provide engagement between the head portion and the spoon portion. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the head portion is shaped in the form of a prey fish head. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the head portion is shaped in the form of a prey fish egg. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of objects further includes a spoon portion adapted to self-illuminate by chemiluminescence. 
   
   
       24 . A self-illuminating object, comprising:
 a casing having an outer surface formed by first and second surfaces, the first surface exhibiting increased pliability relative to the pliability of the second surface;   a first solution contained within the casing;   a vial contained within the casing, the vial containing a second solution;   a bladder contained within the casing, the bladder providing buoyancy to the self-illuminating object; and   wherein depression of the first surface ruptures the vial to mix the first and second solutions within the casing to cause self-illumination of the casing.   
   
   
       25 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 24 , further comprising a trigger mechanism coupled to the first surface, wherein depression of the first surface engages the trigger mechanism to rupture the vial to mix the first and second solutions within the casing to cause self-illumination of the casing. 
   
   
       26 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 24 , wherein the casing exhibits a hollow channel extending through a center portion of the casing. 
   
   
       27 . A self-illuminating object, comprising:
 a body portion including an outer surface formed by first and second surfaces, the first surface exhibiting increased pliability relative to the pliability of the second surface;   a solution contained within the body portion;   a vial contained within the body portion, the vial containing a second solution; and   wherein depression of the first surface ruptures the vial to mix the first and second solutions within the body portion to cause self-illumination of the body portion.   
   
   
       28 . The self-illuminating object of  claim 27 , further comprising a trigger mechanism coupled to the first surface, wherein depression of the first surface engages the trigger mechanism to rupture the vial to mix the first and second solutions within the body portion to cause self-illumination of the insert.